The History of the Poor; Their Rights, Duties, And the Laws...
Anticipated the Workhouse Movement Ruggles, Thomas [1745-1813]. The History of the Poor; Their Rights, Duties, And the Laws Respecting Them. In a Series of Letters. London: Printed for J. Deighton, 1793-1794. 2 volumes. [ii], xxvi, 297, [1]; [ii], 341, [1] pp. Octavo (8" x 5"). Recent quarter calf over marbled boards, blind rules to calf edges, blind fillets, lettering pieces and gilt volume numbers to spines, endleaves renewed, edges speckled blue. Hinges of Volume I starting (after first and before final two leaves). Light to moderate toning to interiors, occasional light foxing, slightly heavier to first and final few leaves of Volume II, brief corrections in pencil to p. v of Volume I. A nice set. $950. * First edition. Ruggles was a barrister, antiquarian and magistrate in Essex and Suffolk. Written while he was serving as a justice of the peace, this historical survey of the poor laws and the treatment of the poor concludes that poverty is largely due to a lack of thrift and moral fiber on the part of the working class. Instead of mere relief, the poor laws should provide an industrial and moral education, and private societies should encourage workers to save rather than spend frivilously on goods or alcohol. In many ways, Ruggles's suggested reforms anticipated the workhouse movement ushered in by the Poor Law of 1834. A second edition of this title appeared in 1797. English Short-Title Catalogue T93331.
Price: $950.00
Book number 74285